How to Play Nuketown Zombies: A Comprehensive Guide
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
Playing Nuketown Zombies is an adrenaline-pumping experience that throws you into the iconic, albeit nuclear-blasted, suburban landscape to fight off hordes of the undead. It’s a fan-favorite mode that has appeared in multiple Call of Duty titles, each with its unique nuances. This guide will walk you through how to play Nuketown Zombies across different Call of Duty games, clarifying any confusion and setting you up for zombie-slaying success.
How to Play Nuketown Zombies: The Basic Steps
The specific steps for accessing and playing Nuketown Zombies vary slightly depending on which Call of Duty game you’re playing. However, the general process involves navigating to the Zombies menu and selecting the relevant map/mode. Here’s a breakdown:
- Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War:
- Start the game and navigate to the Zombies menu.
- Select the Zombies Onslaught mode.
- Choose Nuketown 84 as your map.
- Start the game and brace yourself for the zombie onslaught.
- Call of Duty: Black Ops II:
- Access the game’s Zombies menu.
- Select Nuketown Zombies. (Note: This map was originally a pre-order bonus or part of the Season Pass. It may also be available to purchase separately.)
- Begin your battle against the undead.
- Call of Duty: Black Ops III:
- Ensure your game is updated to the latest version. Nuketown became available to all players via a free update.
- Navigate to the Zombies menu.
- Select the NUK3TOWN map.
- Launch the game and get ready to fight.
Navigating the Menu & Game Modes
The user interface can differ across games, but look for these keywords:
- Zombies Menu: This is your portal to the zombies game mode.
- Onslaught: In Black Ops Cold War, Onslaught is the mode where you find Nuketown 84.
- Map Selection: This is where you choose the specific map you want to play, in this case, Nuketown or Nuketown 84.
Once you select the map, you’ll be placed in the iconic Nuketown setting, ready for the zombie apocalypse.
The Gameplay Experience
Regardless of which version of Nuketown Zombies you play, expect an intense, close-quarters combat experience. The map’s compact design forces engagements and makes it difficult to find prolonged safe havens. The core gameplay remains the same:
- Survive: Fight off relentless waves of zombies.
- Upgrade: Use your earned points to buy better weapons and perks.
- Explore: Discover hidden locations and easter eggs.
- Teamwork: If playing with friends, coordinate to maximize survival.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Nuketown Zombies
1. What Game Can You Play Nuketown Zombies?
Nuketown Zombies is primarily available in Call of Duty: Black Ops II, Call of Duty: Black Ops III, and Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War (as Nuketown 84 within the Onslaught mode). Each game offers a slightly different experience, but the map’s core design remains.
2. How Do You Get Nuketown in Black Ops 3 Zombies?
In Black Ops III, Nuketown was initially a pre-order bonus. However, it later became available to all players through a free update. Ensure your game is updated to the latest version to access it. If you still cannot find it, navigate to the related items for the game in your console’s library and locate the Nuketown add-on and download it.
3. What Map Pack is Nuketown Zombies In?
Nuketown Zombies in Call of Duty: Black Ops II is not strictly part of a map pack in the traditional sense. It was released alongside the Hardened, Care Package, and Digital Deluxe Editions of the game. It was also available as a separate purchase on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC at a later date.
4. Can You Play Nuketown Zombies in Black Ops Cold War?
Yes, in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, Nuketown Zombies is available as Nuketown 84 within the Zombies Onslaught mode. It is not a standalone map like in previous iterations but provides the classic Nuketown experience.
5. How to Install Nuketown on Black Ops II Multiplayer?
To access Nuketown in Call of Duty: Black Ops II multiplayer, navigate to the multiplayer lobby and select the option for Nuketown 2025. Follow the on-screen prompts to download it to your console. Note that Nuketown Zombies is a separate map for the Zombies game mode.
6. Why Don’t I Have Nuketown in BO3?
If you do not have Nuketown in Black Ops 3, ensure that your game is fully updated and that you have downloaded the Nuketown add-on (if needed) by going to the “Related Items” in your console’s library or game store and selecting “activate the install.”
7. Is Nuketown a Zombies Map?
Yes, Nuketown has a dedicated Zombies map called Nuketown Zombies in Call of Duty: Black Ops II. Furthermore, Nuketown is also available in Zombies mode in Black Ops 3 as the map called NUK3TOWN and Black Ops Cold War as Nuketown 84 in the Zombies Onslaught mode.
8. Is Nuketown a Black Ops Only Map?
While Nuketown is heavily associated with the Black Ops series, it has appeared in other Call of Duty titles including Call of Duty Online and Call of Duty: Mobile; it is primarily known as an iconic map from the Black Ops franchise.
9. Is There an Easter Egg in Nuketown Zombies?
Yes, Nuketown Zombies in Call of Duty: Black Ops II has a Teddy Bear Easter Egg. You need to activate all three teddy bears in a single game by pressing the interact button on them. This will start a song within the game. A commonly known location of a teddy bear is on the top bunk bed on the second floor of one house.
10. Where is Nuketown in Real Life?
The fictional Nuketown is based on a real place: The Nevada Test Site (NTS), approximately 65 miles north of Las Vegas, was used for nuclear weapons testing during the Cold War.
11. Does Black Ops 2 Come With Nuketown Zombies?
Nuketown Zombies was not included as part of the base game of Call of Duty: Black Ops II. It was a pre-order bonus for some editions, part of the Season Pass, and available as a standalone purchase. If you own the Call of Duty®: Black Ops II Season Pass or Call of Duty®: Black Ops II Digital Deluxe Edition, you do not need to buy the map separately.
12. How Do You Make the Mannequins Move in Black Ops 3?
In NUK3TOWN for Black Ops 3, shoot the arms off all the mannequins within two minutes. A bell will sound, and the mannequins will reset. Turn away from them, and they will start moving and attempting to attack you.
13. Is Nuketown Free on BO3?
Yes, Nuketown became a free update for Black Ops III later in its lifecycle, so it is free for all players that have the latest update for the game.
14. Are All Cold War Zombies Maps Free?
Yes, all Zombies maps in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War are free. You do not need to purchase any DLC to have access to them. Nuketown 84 is included in the free Onslaught mode for Black Ops Cold War
15. Why is Nuketown So Popular?
Nuketown’s popularity stems from its fast-paced, close-quarters combat, and well-designed map layout. It is a smaller map that is not too chaotic, allowing players to perform well with any weapon, making it accessible to both casual and hardcore players. It has become one of the most recognizable and beloved maps in Call of Duty history.
Playing Nuketown Zombies offers a unique and intense experience that challenges your survival skills against the undead in a confined, iconic setting. Whether you’re revisiting a classic or experiencing it for the first time, knowing how to navigate the menus and access the maps will ensure you’re ready for the chaos that awaits. Now, gear up, strategize, and dive into the action of Nuketown Zombies!